SIMPLE AS 1, 2, 3

AS THE END OF THE MONTH ARRIVES, I am sicker than a dawg.  Coughing up my toes as some would say.  I spent SUNDAY coughing so much when it dawned on me to take some NyQuil.  Not sure why I was slow to respond to the idea of taking some OTC product to ease the symptoms.  

Slept well and will take some DayQuil.  FATIGUE has hit as I'm a victim.  I rested all day Sunday and have plans to stay put Monday as well.  I am a sick puppy.

No walking for a couple of days, which bothers me.  I have to rest.  Taking vitamin C and D plus a host of other supplements.  A few months ago, I had slipped and didn't take vitamins.  I get run down so easily that I need to take helpers all the time.  I don't seem to do so.  My bad.  You don't stop breathing oxygen just because you are feeling good.  It's an all time thing.  

I confess I am not good at taking vitamins/minerals all the time. When will I catch on?  Today?  💊

TODAY, I plan to simply rest and be alright with this.  No chores.  No activity.  

STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN ILL:
Pray
Rest
Stay hydrated
Take medicine

Simple as 1, 2, 3.

As I rest, I can still research the internet, thumb through a magazine, read. Pray.  Think.

I am sick an tired of being sick and run down.  I'd much rather be in good health than down and out.  

Here's to getting over this quickly.  

Dear Lord, hear my prayer.

🥀 d

FLOWERS IN BLOOM

WALKING THE NEIGHBORHOODS allows me to view the gorgeous spring flowers that have sprung up in people's yards.  It's so pretty to see which adds to the enjoyment of exercising while walking.  The brilliant colors cannot be ignored.  Splashes of greenery pop and the flowers are noticeable.  The yellow daffodils are outstanding this season.

Makes me want to have some in my front yard.  Two daffs appeared in the back yard by the garage.  After the blooms fade, I'd like to have these transplanted around some trees in the front yard so they will bloom next spring.  Checking into when it is the best time to plant the daff bulbs.  Looks like late spring to early summer after the leaves have begun to turn yellow is a good time to relocate the daffodils.  Bulbs planted in the fall goes well.  

Beautiful flowered trees have arrived.  Gorgeous to see while walking.  

I walked to my daughter's house in the country.  It's about a 1 1/4th miles away then I walked from her house to a dirt road making the walk about 1 1/2 miles.  At the track meet I walked an additional 1/2 mile plus a quarter of a mile home.  I guess I made my 2 mile distance.  I have walking on my brain.  Not all bad.

Today I plan on going shopping in Topeka so this will have some walking.  Not sure how much. If things go well, I'll walk my mile when I get HOME.  

I'd like to get a new pair of bluejeans as the jeans that fit have holes in the thigh areas.  My jeans are styling, but I don't want them to be.  Old fashioned this way.  No holy jeans.  We'll be looking for a new ceiling fan.  The tiny fan in the TV room is old and has begun to make unusual sounds that are interfering with the quiet of the room.  Annoying to say the least.  Sometimes I think that infrasonic sounds in the home cause health issues and interfere with having harmony in the body.  With infrasonic sounds not being heard, who knows what harm they are doing?  You'll eventually feel in your body what the unheard sound does to you.  

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After the Irises bloom, I'll mark where the really pretty ones are that are in the side flowerbed and relocate them after they fade.  I know I have some Irises that ended up blooming in the side flowerbed that were not suppose to be there so when I see them this year, I'll mark them and relocate to the front yard where they can bloom in 2026 after they fade.  Also the huge Lilac bush we have needs trimmed back.  I believe I will go ahead and trim out the dead branches for the time being and when the blooms fade I'll do a big trim job on it as the branches are growing over the top of the fence into the neighbors yard.  Keeping the peace.

The tickling sensation in my throat has turned into a head cold with coughing.  Draining. Vitamins are at hand.  Sometimes a simple cold about does a person in.  Lord help. 

SPORTING EVENTS in the Spring are taking place.  My out of state grandchildren are active in soccer and running.  God bless.

Grandsons and sports. 

🌷d

THE ABCs OF HOMEMAKING

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IN THE REAL WORLD, HOMEMAKING HAS TO EMBRACE FINANCES. Being a homemaker is more than a warm body in the house. Finances are a huge part of running a HOME.  So being a HOME ECONOMIST is part of the packaging.  

Cold hard FACT.  The nuts and bolts of HOME LIFE requires money to be used for paying for shelter, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, medical attention, TAXES, etc.  Not every activity of HOME LIFE needs money, but this isn't all there is to running one's estate.  MONEY is needed and having a cash flow is necessary.

Even when there's only one income, there has to be a cash flow.  In my OPINION having a healthy savings account eases the burden of running a household.  No matter where you are in LIFE, I believe it is for the best to have a healthy savings account.  START THERE and don't be without. 

LIVING BELOW YOUR MEANS is a building block for building up a savings account.  Spend less than you make and watch the account grow.  I think this is a starting place to concentrate on.  

If you are blessed enough to have a HOUSE ALLOWANCE, there should be one.  If not blessed, make it happen.  There should be one.  I never had a HOUSE allowance.  Money was never set aside for future purchases.  It was a fly by the seat of your pants theology.  The big item purchases were usually bought with credit which means they cost more because of interest attached to the purchase.  In the early days of marriage there were no consignment shops where I lived so everything was new from a store or a hand me down. 

A regret of mine is that I didn't have a HOUSE ALLOWANCE through the years.  I didn't take money each month sitting it aside to save for an allowance. 

REBOOT.    

HUBBY and I just finished with a financial meeting. FINALLY.  This is something I craved for years where we'd meet weekly at a specific time and visit about weekly and monthly expenses TOGETHER so each of us knew where we stood and what we had to work with.  FINALLY we are doing this as husband and wife.  A TEAM EFFORT.  After 50 years of marriage, we are giving it a whirl.  

BACK IN THE DAY when being a newly wed, we had NO CHECK BOOK.  I would stash the amount of money needed for monthly expenses in labeled envelopes.  This worked well for me knowing when the money was gone from the envelope we had to stop spending.  Even MONEY GURUs suggest doing this. I was ahead of the game before I knew it was a thing.  It may not seem like a SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUE, but it works.  Things changed and so did the envelope method.  After so many years of not operating this way, I am tempted to return to this primitive method.  Hum. 

When evaluating the BUDGET and it seems like there is no way to save money, one has to get serious about looking at places where the money is leaking out.  Take into account if possible, where can expenses be stopped or rearranged.  It isn't cheap to be fugal.  Sometimes we do without. 

CONFESSION TIME.  Hubby had been laid off from employment.  We sold our very nice brick house with 4 bedrooms and a Jacuzzi.  We only made $3,000.00 on the selling of the house after paying the realtor.  We left Texas and rented a small two bedroom house in Kansas.  My pride was hurt and a low grade infection of depression happened.  I did the best I could to make the best out of a rotten situation.  Instead of having the savings account a priority, I confess I messed up.  I put other expenses before having a savings account.  Not a good practice.

I remember watching fuzzy TV during the WINTER OLYMPICS with no cable service.  The kids laid on the floor in front of the TV bundled in blankets watching the OLYMPICS in Paris. 

Cable happened.  I saw to it that we paid our cable television bill first and all the other bills before having a savings.  I wanted us to at least have TV especially with our family.  We had turned loose of so much having left Texas that I wanted to have TV for entertainment purposes and some sense of comfort.  It came before savings.

Money was extremely tight while hubby was laid off from work and we lived on our tiny savings until work came again.  My little effort toward employment was taking on 3 small part time jobs until I became a teacher's assistant.  THEN employment would take us to another state.  Oklahoma.    

I know going back in time and redoing life isn't possible, but changing the way things are done in the present is doable.  So we're living in the here and now.

You can have all your ducks in a row then calamity strikes.  What then?  Divine help is needed.  Instead of starting over think of it as continuing.  If you start over too many times, ill affect takes place with discouragement.  You may find yourself saying I don't have what it takes to start over AGAIN.  I found myself in this nightmare which is exhausting.  I had to change my way of thinking and say that I am continuing on.  Amen.

Life is for learning and learning to live is in there somewhere.  

Here's to LIFE!

~d

'LIFE JUST GOT A LITTLE EASIER' ICE-CREAM and it's healthy

HEALTHIER 3 INGREDIENT

'Life Just Got A Little Easier'
Ice-Cream

~THE EASIER THE BETTER ESPECIALLY IF IT'S HEALTHY~

ADD FROZEN BANANAS AND STRAWBERRIES
TO A FOOD PROCESSOR.

Add yogurt and whip up.  
Scrape out the mixture into a container.  
Can eat as is or freeze.  

3 Ingredient Ice-Cream without all those added chemicals 

has to be healthier for people.  Amen.

 

Ice-cream can be a healthy treat,

~d

COTTAGE LIVING IN A BIG WAY WITH PATIO GARDENING and EATING HEALTHIER AS AN OLDER WOMAN

CONTAINER GARDENS.  We grew a few plants in containers last year with great success.  Tomatoes and peppers.  They were delicious and didn't require must attention. Thinking about doing it again the Spring/Summer/Fall except we'll move the location of the pots.  We have a stacked pile of bricks for a future patio in the middle of the back yard.  I don't like the pile being there and am considering moving the saved up bricks to the side of the yard or in front of the garage.  We can lay the brick out and sit the containers on it to have a patio garden.  The actual patio will not be built for a few years as the front porch has to be rebuilt first. Time and attention to other projects before the patio. 

It'll take a while to relocate the brick to a different place, but I believe it is for the best that the bricks be moved.  Until the patio is built, I need some decluttering done for a better looking yard.

THINK WE SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY.

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~FOODS THAT CAN HELP MAKE YOU HEALTHIER~

I believe we should eat healthier to get and stay healthier.

These pics share excellent food to consume at just about any age.

So be it.

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WITH ALL THE HEATH ISSUES I HAVE HAD, I became more interested in health, food and exercise.  I'm not a scholar or expert, but you don't have to be to be interested in getting healthier.  I am more informed than I was which should account for something.  Tooting my own horn and blowing a whistle.  I might as well be my own cheerleader as I age.  📣📣📣📣

If I give up then I have given up and I don't believe that GOD wants us to give up.  Maybe submit to HIM in more ways than one way, but not give up.  Asking for wisdom and guidance from my LORD.

Visited with my Mom.  She may have breast cancer.  She has shared for years that she has no energy and walks wobbly.  When I share getting checked for vitamin deficiencies, it falls on deaf ears.  She seems content to stay exhausted.  Without being her guardian, I don't believe I can force her to get checked for deficiencies.  Frustrating, but I'll pray that someone can reach her to persuade her that she needs to find out if she has vitamin deficiencies.  Vitamin D deficiencies (which is actually a hormone and not a vitamin at all) is linked to various cancers including breast cancer.    

WALKING 11 days in a row which adds to 21 days altogether during the month of March.  The best I have done thus far since walking began a year ago.  

I pushed myself and walked 2 1/4 miles on Wednesday.  Broke the milage up in two different events.  I walked to the storage unit to meet up with my Husband to work some in the unit then walked HOME.  This was a tough walk for me.

I cooled off at HOME and fell asleep.  After supper, I went to the track and walked a solid mile. My legs felt like rubber when I got done.  I'm not sure how strong I will stand tomorrow when time to walk again.  

Two days in a row, I made my 2 mile mark.  Determined to get healthier.  When I weighed myself in the morning, I frowned as I put a few pounds on.  Water retention? This is disturbing to me. Saddens me.  So I did quite a bit of reading today about hypothyroidism and gluten.

After it cools off some, I'll go walking around 7:30.  I'd like to see if I can walk to the Dollar store and purchase some fluoride free toothpaste and then return HOME.  This should be a two mile walk.  Can I do it?  I'm sure gonna try.  Amen and amen.

The PANTRY CLEAN-UP is almost done.  Whoopie.  I still have to figure where to go with crackers and who knows what else.  It's a mystery unfolding.  

As for the uncluttering elsewhere in the house, I have plenty to do.  I cleared off the top of my Grandma's HUTCH or sideboard as some would call it, dusted and relocated a large silver-plated Coffee/Tea Service Set that was in the Living room to the HUTCH.  Like it there.  This frees up the top of the antique walnut chest where I can play with some EASTER RABBITS looking about for the SEASON.  I came across a twig basket that was in storage that I will clean up and place EASER EGGS in and sit it on the chest with the BUNNIES.  The decorator in me isn't asleep.  🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇

God bless,

~d

     

'LIFE JUST GOT A LITTLE EASIER' SMOOTHIE

Life just got a little easier with a SMOOTHIE.

Starting the day out with a delicious SMOOTHIE.  Saw this pic on the internet and decided one of these smoothies would compliment a healthy life.  I showed my dear HUBBY the pic and he quickly made us some, but altered the recipe and boy is it good.  THANKS HUNNY.

RECIPE
2 Avocados
2 Bananas
dollop of organic Honey
1 1/2 cups of unsweetened Almond Milk

Whip it up and serve.  This made enough for two peeps.  A HIM and a HERS.

Caloric intake for one serving is 225+54.5=279.5
1 Avocado 120 calories  
1 Banana  105 calories
Dollup of Honey  32
3/4 cup of unsweetened Almond Milk  22.5 calories

~d

WALKING

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2 MILES TODAY.  First mile was walked about 2:30 in the afternoon and second mile around 6:20 PM.  I was talking to myself that I was actually doing this thing where I walk two miles in a day.  Now to keep it up.  As I headed out on the early evening walk, a friend of mine hollered at me as she and her husband were out driving their truck.  They had finished up walking the track.  We chatted for about 20 minutes.  Good to see them.  

The beautiful Spring flowers I saw as I walked made me appreciate the early Spring flowers that have appeared after a very long and challenging Winter.  The flowers are gorgeous.  Lovely to see.

Early today, my right hip was protesting.  I could feel it screaming and as the day rode along it quit.  Which was a relief.  

MY WALKING has got to be a priority as I am obese and in disbelief that I weigh as much as I do. Lord, help me.  WALKING will be my HOBBY for now.

Looking at photos of myself STUNS me.  It isn't easy to see me so heavy as I was a skinny kid back in the day.  I'm working at reinventing myself and I can't do that without exercising.  The perfect mix of food and exercise are much needed.  I keep learning the importance of vitamins and minerals.

I read this evening that if you have a vitamin A deficiency that it affects the thyroid.  T4 doesn't convert very well to T3 the energy hormone.  I wasn't checked before thyroid issues started and it wasn't check afterwards to see where my levels were.  GOITERS can develop with a vitamin A deficiency.  I didn't have a goiter, but my mom did and a very good friend of mine does as well. I've got to let my friend know about A deficiencies.  When there's an A deficiency the thyroid doesn't work well and the left over hormones form a goiter.

Since I don't have a thyroid, I suppose a vitamin deficiency could still affect how well the T4 converts to T3 affecting my energy level.  hum.  I know my vitamin D and B12 are still lower than they should be.  Maybe I should get my Vitamin A checked.  How can I be so deficient?

Gathering info leads me to believe that vitamin deficiencies DO affect all our organs.  Hello somebody.  It can be as simple as a deficiency that causes ill health.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Just because we eat doesn't mean we are getting the nutrients our bodies so badly needs. 

Before thyroid surgery and afterwards, my vitamin levels were not checked.  Taking certain meds did not mean my vitamin levels were checked.  I'm troubled by this.  I will forge ahead and check my levels from now on.  I'm disappointed that this was ignored.  Perhaps because a woman is so huge the doctor just assumes they are getting all the nutrients they need and there's no need to check for deficiencies.  There is a possibility that the body is not absorbing the nutrients due to a hiccup in the body's functioning.  Hormones can be off.

When I was a young mom there was a guest on a talk show that shared that we can be malnourished causing obesity.  I believe this more than ever.  Large in size, but not getting the nutrients needed.  Also hormones can be out of sorts.

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I have a funny cough bothering me today.  humpf.  Vitamin C time, zinc with selenium and Vitamin D3 blended with K2.  Lots of water.  Hope this is short lived.

Continuing on with the FOOD PANTRY tidy.  Looking better, but have a ways to go.  I'm working on as I go.  I hate that I am so slow, but praise the LORD I'm still moving.

BEDTIME NOW.  I hope to rest through the night and wake refreshed.  I'd like to walk in the morning and then again later in the day.  

Thinking through the route I'll walk.  
~d

KEEP GOING

I ABOUT TALKED MYSELF OUT OF WALKING ON SUNDAY.  So tired and emotionally drained.  I finally did walk around 7 in the evening.  With the time change I knew I'd still have daylight when finishing. 

Pushing through, I was glad that I went ahead and walked even though I could have easily stayed home.  I did walk.  Made the mile in 28 minutes.  Weather was pleasant so walking was wonderful.  I hope to continue walking each day when I can as the days ahead should have pleasant temps.  Our Spring has sprung.  SO thankful. 

This month represents the best I have done since I started walking a year ago.  I'm tracking and keeping record of my journey.  16 days I have gone walking off and on through the month of MARCH.  Tis necessary to be focused on this form of exercise.  Somewhere in here I will start lifting hand weights.  For now I am walking when I can.  Baby steps will hopefully stretch to full grown ones.  

AFTERWARDS we went for a Sunday drive about town.  Relaxing. It allows me to cool down after walking.  

Eager to get HOME to watch CALL THE MIDWIFE on PBS.  While watching the show I took my blood pressure and celebrated that it was 129/80/70.  This is the lowest it has been this month.  I'm not sure what I did different to have a lowered BP.  Extremely happy it was in the 120's. 

While it was still daylight, we looked over the side yard flowerbeds.  There's evidence our flowers are growing because the Siberian Iris leaves are shooting up through the soil.  Our other Irises are beginning to show life through the leaves that are popping up as well.  In the backyard by the garage are tulip leaves and a few hyacinths with flowers.  

The best plans I can make for the week are ones that are simple and within reach.  

1) walk
2) concentrate cleaning-up the food pantry
3) daily chores

~d

 

THE ABCs OF HOMEMAKING

THE ABCs OF HOMEMAKING includes organizing.  I'm on a kick to get organized!!! Onward Christian Soldier.  God took chaos and turned it into order.  I see being organized as a godly thing.  I'd like my HOME to be an orderly ABODE.  As much organizing as I have to do, it's gonna take a minute to get there.  

THE REARRANGING OF THE PANTRY CONTINUES.   It'll be nice when completed.  I tweak on it in between errands and the busyness of life so it isn't coming along very quickly.

I emptied a top shelf full of cracker boxes and pasta.  Not sure what I will do with all the crackers and was surprised at how many boxes we have.  Needing a place to hold paper towels.  This shelf was perfect.  High and dry.  Will continue figuring where things will go as I go along.

With a collection of pottery bowls, I left them on an individual shelf for safe keeping.  I'd thought of boxing the collection up, but think this is a pretty good place to store them.  HEAT RISES so on the top shelves things that tolerate heat better will go such as pottery, beans and rice up high.  Soups, sauces and peanut butter next.  I should have plenty of space for canned vegetables and fruits.  Onto canned meats, etc.

The pantry shelves are L-shaped so on the right side of the pantry will go paper towels and cooking ingredients.  The bottled juices can sit on the floor. 

That's a plan that I can live with.  I'd like to see the pantry take shape and stay organized as possible.  Kind of like shopping at an actual store that's orderly.  I'll need to tidy things from time to time so the pantry is neat.

NOW to just shuffle things and make some sense out of this mess.  

Tis ongoing.   
Here's to being more godly,

~d

Walking Workout To Lower Blood Sugar - Just 7 Minutes - Walk at Home

SPRING TIME AND CoCo CHANEL

WHAT A GORGEOUS DAY for SPRING 
to arrive on the Kansas Prairie.

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷 

THURSDAY.  FIRST DAY OF SPRING.  Morning came and I continued emptying out the pantry, doing some laundry, working on sympathy cards, writing out a utility bill, figuring what we spent each day on utilities.  How to get it down.  Giving it thought on how to reduce spending.  When the storage units are cleared out and there is no longer a bill, then we will have a cushion again.  I think.  Perhaps next week I will work on this task.  First comes the pantry overhaul.  

One of my High School mates passed away and his service was streamed from Pueblo, Colorado. I watched.  I never knew he was such a skilled hunter.  They laid him to rest today.  His mother had just passed a month ago.  So very sad for his siblings.  So many of my classmates have passed not reaching 70 years of age.  Breaks my heart.  I don't think of us as THAT OLD, but then again death can come at any age.  Several other's services have been streamed and I watched.  

Onto a brighter subject.  Walking.  I've been focusing on walking one mile since a year ago.  It's been hit and miss when I walk, but I have been serious about doing it as often as I can.  I'd like to bump it up to two miles a day.  Walking in the morning and late afternoon.  Can I do this?  Will give it a try.      

I walked my mile around 5 in the late afternoon.  It was a beautiful day where I worked up a sweat.  Cooled off and blogged.  I need to prepare for our Friday Business meeting this evening. We'll be discussing our budget and what expenses to expect this coming month.

I have some plans on how to make this budget work and save money.  The older I get, the finances still have to be managed.  Living a modest life is on the table.  Eating nutritionally dense meals is a priority.  I figure that I need to go to market once a week to stay on top of the meals.  

I've been watching videos on different dishes to make.  This is not only entertaining, it's helpful to someone like me that wants and needs to eat differently.   

SPRING IS HERE and I'm so happy about this.

YESTERDAY.

The weather was iffy on Wednesday with high winds, rain and snow with a chill in the air. Driving on the highway was challenging to say the least.  I rode along with Lil Miss to a hair appointment.  She did well.

Once we made it to the salon, she went in for her appointment and I strolled over to THE FRIENDSHIP HOUSE by the park ordering some eggs with broccoli, spinach and tomatoes in the omelet.  Sipped on water.  After finishing, I strolled back to the Library.  Massive remodeling has taken place so I was a bit disoriented, but I noticed some money lying on the floor with no one in sight.

💵 It was a ten dollar bill.  Great find.  I received it and went on my way.  I'm sorry somebody lost it, but I was thankful to find it like manna from heaven.  May more cross my path. 💲💲💲  

Walking to the Salon where Lil Miss was, I sat in the lobby and looked through magazines.  She finished up and was delighted with her high lighter.  The blonde brightened up her face and framed it beautifully.  Ahh to be young again.

By the time we arrived back at the COTTAGE, gusts of winds attacked without mercy.  Lil Miss still had to drive home in it.

I began emptying the food pantry, binge watched THE NEW LOOK and fell asleep.  A short series about Coco Chanel and Christian Dior.  

Coco Chanel was rather a slender woman with a multitude of troubles.  She was NAZI SPY.  She concocted a story about her upbringing.  Her parents were not married when she was born and her mother died when CoCo was about 11 years old.  Her father dropped her off at an orphanage where the Nuns raised her teaching her to sew.  She told others that she was raised by two very strict Aunts.  Along her way to success she remained unmarried, had a multitude of sexual partners, smoked nine packs of cigarettes a day, drank like a fish and did drugs.  She made her way to Switzerland to escape jail time.  

She'd walk long distances a day so she could eat eccentric meals.  From watching actual video of her, she moved about quite a lot as she was hyper.  

What is Coco Chanel known for? Coco Chanel was a fashion designer who ruled Parisian haute couture for almost six decades. She is known for the Chanel suit, the quilted purse, costume jewelry, and the “little black dress”—all now-classic innovations.

SPRING TIME IS HERE,

~d

FINALLY SPRING!!!!

MARCH 20th.  
FINALLY SPRING.  

The calendar says so in print.   

EARLY SIGNS OF SPRING ARE SHOWING with flowers 
popping through the soil.  Daffodils are displaying their bright yellow beauty.

I am ready.  I am beyond ready.  
It is a start to a new season and I'll take advantage of it.

GOD bless us.
~d  

TULIPS FOR SPRING

HOBBY LOBBY in Topeka had some faux tulips in light purple and white ones in bunches 40% off.  A nice addition to the front porch urns that hold soft pink and white tulips. As soon as I got HOME, I added these tulips to fill out the urns.  It looks like SPRING as we inch along.  Our temperatures were in the 80s like a beautiful Summer time. 

We're to have another Summer day Tuesday and then on Wednesday it's suppose to snow.  Of all things.

My day was busy.  Fueled the car and picked up the mail.  Off to St. Marys for a large salad at SUGAR CREEK where we bought some Bob's Red Mill Scottish Oatmeal, almond flour, Maple Syrup, candy and cookies that are used for ice cream sandwiches.  We crossed the street to MJ's for almond milk steamers.  Drove to Topeka's Walmart to look for NITRIC OXIDE FLOW for blood Pressure, faux tulips, and a few more things.  Went to HOBBY LOBBY for faux tulips.  Drove HOME to unload and rest.  Pleasant day.  

I needed to pick up a few things and wanted to break the shopping trips up as it is too much for me when we make 11 stops in one day.

Tuesday was another trip to TOPEKA for labs.  Checking up on how well the Vitamin B12 shots are doing.  Figured we'd do a little shopping and here I sit having forgotten to go to GOD'S STOREHOUSE.  One of the main reasons I like going to TOPEKA on Tuesdays is so I can pop in at GS and look about.  Completely forgot.  Oops.  

We went to SAMS and HOBBY LOBBY again.  Made a BANK RUN.  Returned HOME.  Resting a bit before heading out again to go to MANHATTAN.  I'll rest tonight.

Looking into the front flower beds where the Boxwoods were planted last Summer, some stray tulips have popped up.  Not sure they will produce flowers are not.  If they do, after the blossoms have faded, they will be dug up and relocated to the base of the huge front yard trees.  Seeing them bloom next year would be sweet.

I'd like to watch YOUTUBE'S Off The Grid with Doug and Stacy again.  There's a part in the video where I need to pay closer attention to what Doug said last night.  I want to check out what he said about how things are going these days.  We're living in a time that a group of ultra wealthy peeps at the turn of the century planned for the American people like us now.  

He talked some about chem-trails again and there is no denying that something odd is taking place in the skies.  I still have not heard from Senator Jerry Moran about what his stance is about chem-trails are.  Time to write a certified letter that he will have to sign for.  Letter to the Editor.

I believe there is much to learn about in our world.

By moving the geraniums that have wintered in the kitchen to the dining room, I am inching them closer to the front door which will lead to the out of doors come May.  I've got some aluminum trays to sit the containers on.  The containers have holes in the bottom of them allowing water to leak out.  I don't want this to happen on the carpet and until the weather warms up some the geraniums will remain inside.  Not all my plants survived the Winter, but the ones that have look healthy and have some blooms on them.

After I get the kitchen floor swept then the food pantry will be worked on where I can move some pantry items to the kitchen for staging.  I have a few days before April 1st hits.  I wanted to have this task done before then.  I will welcome having the pantry tidied and organized.  I can take inventory at the same time.  

And the simple life continues.  Hallelujah.

~d

FAUX FLOWERS HAVE THEIR PLACE IN THIS 'OLE WORLD

WHAT A DAY.   

'TWAS very slow paced until about 4 in the afternoon.  I worked on laundry.  Made a multitude of phone calls.  Sanitized things from the storage unit.  I made it to the cellar looking for large storage tubs to put the greenery in and found my faux daffodils to place in the front porch urns for a touch of SPRING.  There in the depths of this house in the cellar was a beautiful brown colored 🧺LONGABERGER square basket.  To the Kitchen it went.

🟩 Hubby found some tubs to use for the greenery.  We began stashing the greenery in the tubs and he took these back to the cellar.  All the greenery is put away except for the sprigs I have hanging above the Living room windows.  

🌷🌷🌷With the faux daffs were pink and white tulips I forgot I had.  I placed the faux daffs and tulips in the urns. I need more tulips to fill the urns in.  A trip to HOBBY LOBBY will take place soon.  The faux flowers perked the porch up.  Looks pretty nice to me.

🌞I wiped down the things that were in the backseat of the car from the storage unit.  The trunk items will be dealt with tomorrow as I ran out of sunlight and gusto.

👟👟👟Walking my mile took place and I was truly sweating when I got HOME.  I cooled off and waited for Hubby to return upstairs from working in the cellar.  Eventually we will be done with getting settled. This truly is the hardest move I have ever encountered as an adult.  It may take us years to get settled.  Unbelievable. Two storage units to go through, a garage, tool shed, cellar and front bedroom.  It is a task and a half.  Slowly we are getting things taken care of amongst health issues and life activities. 

👟👟👟I have managed to walk 6 days in a row.  A RECORD for me.  Life gets in the way and it's a hit and miss walking journey.  I'm not ready for two mile walks yet.  When I do finally get there I'll break the miles up by walking one mile in the mornings and one in the late afternoons.  When better weather is the norm, I'll walk in the evenings.  I pray that I can do this. Amen.  

👶I'll be babysitting my youngest grandson today and I need to vacuum the carpet before he comes over.  I can manage to get this done in the early hours of the morning.  

We shall have a great time.  

~d

SPRING COUNT DOWN

~HOW MY WREATHS use to LOOK~

THE DAY HAS STARTED.  Laundry is in.  Catching up on the news and planning my day. 

TODAY, I think I'll sanitize the things I brought HOME from the storage unit that are still in the car. 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗  I'll need to place the items on the porch and work outside on this gorgeous SPRING-LIKE day. 

I brought HOME some bedding that was in storage so it is getting washed as I type.  🎄I have a CHRISTMAS bedspread that I bought years ago that I'll wash and store in a storage box.  Next CHRISTMAS I hope to use it on our bed.  Another bedspread will be laundered and placed in the trunk of the car to be used for outdoor outings such as TRACK MEETS and picnics.  Sitting on the ground will be more comfortable with the spread stretched out.  We have chairs, but the spread comes in handy when our youngest grandson plays at our feet.

When at the storage unit, I came across two wreaths that at one time were covered with forsythia blossoms that I have used for SPRING wreaths for years.  In past tense, they WERE loverly.  They have seen better days.  The flowers fell off the wreath as I was carrying them to the car.  They now look awful.  You know how Charlie Brown's Christmas tree is rather sparse?  Well, these wreaths are like his tree except wreaths.  Sad.  Hang my head in shame sad.

Recalling that I had two forsythia wreaths, I planned to hot glue Easter eggs and tiny bunnies onto them.  The flowers were going to be the background for the Easter wreaths.  After seeing them, I questioned if they would still work?  

The actual wreath is in great shape, but the flowers have badly disappeared.  When I set out to decorate the wreaths, I will make a judgment call and may have to add a lot more easter eggs on them so the wreaths are healthy looking instead of impoverish.  Maybe some spring flowers as well.  I'll make it work.  End of story.

Into the cellar known as the dungeon I will go looking for the large and long storage boxes that I store greenery in.  I'll have to have HUBBY assist me and I'll keep my cool looking for it.  AN act of discipline when dealing with messes.  I hate messes. I know the boxes are down there, but HUBBY says he couldn't find them. 

DAY PLANNER:
Typical day includes laundry. 
I'll carry the storage stuff that's in the car to the front porch and sanitize the items.
Look in the cellar for the storage boxes for greenery and if I find them, I'll box up the greenery and place in the cellar.
If I cannot find the boxes, I'll have to make a deliberate trip to MENARDS and purchase some for the greenery.  How boxes disappear, I don't know!
Go out to the storage unit and load up the trash boxes that need hauled off and haul them off.
Take a mile long walk.
Fill out some greeting cards and get in the mail.
Pick up the mail.

MENU FOR THE DAY:
Day starts out with HOT LEMON WATER.  Zero calories.
Breakfast.  Cottage cheese ( 232 calories) with strawberries (24) and blueberries (41). Water.  Total 297 calories.

Snack.  Tiny donut (80).  Total 80 calories.

Lunch.  Taco potato (149) using ground turkey (4oz. 169).  Water.  Total 318 calories.  

Supper.  Grilled carrots (1 cup 82) and cauliflower (1 cup. 25).  Not sure about meat yet.  Water.  Total 107 calories.

Snack.  Popcorn (2 cups 110).  Apple (1/2 medium 36).  Milk (4 oz.  61).  Total 207 calories.

Pretty good food plan for me.  1009 calories for the day.  If I cut out the popcorn, I'd hit 899.  Under 900 calories for someone in reduction mode.

COUNT DOWN FOR SPRING.  SPRING IS ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY!!!  Praising GOD for this as I have had a rough WINTER.  I know that with spring that beautiful weather does happen, but bad storms come along side of it with tornadoes.  Sometimes I think my marriage resembles SPRING.  🌪  It's not all a bed of roses.  There are some storms in there as well. 

Aging has challenges.  When I was walking about yesterday, I was having some issues walking.  My back was aching and it wasn't easy to walk.  In my head, I think I'm still well able to do things as I am still a young woman on the inside.  Mentally, I still feel young like when I was young.  When I get up to walk, reality smacks me in the face.  I am old and my body has a mind of its own.  Walking is difficult.  I am hoping and praying that I can get healthier as I go being pro-active with exercise, diet, self forgiveness and prayer.

When you desire something and it's godly, then go for it.  Pray for help and direction on how to get there.  Amen.

I caught myself watching OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY on youtube last night.  Doug was solo on the program.  He's a character and a half, but many times he shares information that chimes in with what I need to know.  Do you watch him?  That's just one youtube program I watch.  Just one.

They left their jobs in the city and settled in the country on 11 acres about 15 years ago.  He built a log cabin to live in without knowing how to build one.  They are imitating a lifestyle after the past as he has taken kindly to the Amish.

They sell candles made of beeswax and I'll be ordering one of their candles that they make as it is suppose to help with asthma.

I've bought their chocolate tea before and enjoy it from time to time. 

 

May we have a pleasant day today and soak up some real sunshine.  

To GOD be the glory, great things HE has done.

10 DAYS TILL SpRiNg,

~d

    

 

  

AN INTERESTING DAY EVACUATING TARGET

 

81 DEGREES WITH BLUE SKIES OUTSIDE TODAY as I walked HOME from Dollar General.  Made my mile in about 20 minutes.  I was surprised I clipped right along. Usually it takes me 25 to 30 minutes to walk a mile.  Maybe I'm improving? Another walker was at the football track walking very fast and I know she's older than me. Oh to be so blessed.  

Returning from Manhattan, Hubby wanted to get some paper towels from $Gen.  I told him that I would go ahead and get my mile in by walking HOME while he shopped and went to the Post Office.  I was proud of my accomplishment.  When I got HOME he was still out shopping. Dripping sweat, I plopped myself down in my recliner after I turned the ceiling fan on.

We had had a full day already before I walked in my street clothes home. Morning started early as we drove to Manhattan to the doctor's office.  I stayed in the car looking at new magazines as Hubby went to his appointment.  He was only in the building about 30 minutes returning to our car with info about his heart health.  The halter monitor report still was not in.  The doctor and the nurse both had been working for several days on getting it from the Hospital.  Our doctor was told that he could not receive the report.  He has never had a Hospital tell him he couldn't get access to a report for one of his patient.  He was beyond frustrated and the nurse was as well.

We decided to go eat and then go the Hospital and find out why they had not sent our doctor a report.  Long story short.  Hubby finally got a copy and the records lady said she'd send a copy to doctor after a release form was acquired.  

17 days it has taken to get the report.   

After we left the Hospital, Hubby said he wanted to get a copy of his copy and personally deliver a copy to our doctor.  We did and he did.  He said he didn't trust the records lady as he caught her in a lie.  Imagine that.

Went to Family Dollar next to TARGET so a quick stop at TARGET was in order.  My lower back was hurting and my body was sore so I used one of their shopping cars.  As we were checking out, the overhead speaker came on telling all to pause their shopping and come to the front of the store to evacuate the building.  I haven't ever had this happen before.  What on earth?

I did buy a yellow tulip.  After the week-end passes, I'll plant it.  There's a threat that the weather will turn nasty. 🌷🌷🌷 

We walked out of the building to our car not knowing what the problem was.  We had evacuated. As we loaded our car, emergency vehicles began to show up.  The clerks were walking out of the store across the parking lot grouping far off from the building.  I'd like to know what happened so I'll be checking the news later today.  Made for an interesting MONDAY.

Drove toward our community to pick up some meds, drop off a letter in the mail and pay the phone bill.  The rest is HISTORY.  I am now officially whipped.  It was a gorgeous SPRING DAY. The day began like WINTER turned into SPRING and then SUMMER hit hard.  I've got my feet up resting a spell then I'll put a load of laundry in.  Hubby said he'd fix supper.  Hurray. 

The leaves of Daffodils are starting to appear in people's yards.  We don't have any real DAFFS, but have some faux ones in the cellar.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll venture out and check out the cellar.  Hubby will have a fit as he says I won't be able to get about in the dungeon.  I'd like to find the DAFFS.  

Yesterday we went and worked on one of the storage units we have.  The trunk of the car and the backseat have items in them that I will have to sanitize before bringing into the house.  I knew I wouldn't get to this today, so the clean-up will be on the agenda tomorrow.  Won't that be a hoot.

Praise the LORD Spring is near.  I'm so ready.  

Yes, I am.

~d

 

SOME DECORATING IDEAS

Gathering decorating ideas.

Trim work adds a great deal of character 

to this stair rail area.  

From plain jane to a glamorous wall.

BEFORE

AFTER

GARAGE IDEA


Storage idea worth copying.



BATHROOM
An added archway about the shower caught my eye.

A great idea for the vanity wall. 

Porch idea.

Kick yo' shoes off and sit a spell.

Though the porch floor is rather rough, 

the accessories add a distraction.

A long time ago I took a college decorating class where the instructor told us to keep a picture box full of decorating ideas for future use.  I did for a number of years.  

If you came across an idea that you liked, 

you'd save it. 

Here's to gathering ideas,

~d